ICD-10 Code C44.09 – Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.09 – Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip
What it is
C44.09 identifies a malignant skin neoplasm on the lip that is specified as other than the common listed types. Use it when documentation clearly states a skin cancer of the lip but does not name a more specific code.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. You may see a persistent lip lesion, ulceration, crusting, bleeding, or a nonhealing area, with diagnosis confirmed by pathology or specialist assessment.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record documents a malignant neoplasm of the skin of the lip and the provider does not specify a more exact skin cancer type. It is appropriate for outpatient, inpatient, or pathology-based documentation that identifies the lip as the primary site. If the note names a different site or histology, code that diagnosis instead.
Do not use for
Do not use C44.09 for benign lip lesions, premalignant changes, or cancers arising from the vermilion or oral mucosa if a different code is documented. Check documentation.
Coding tip
Code the documented histology and exact lip site together, and query if the record only says “lip cancer” without enough detail.